CBS News
Ben & Jerry’s sues Unilever, saying parent company censored ice cream maker over Gaza
Ben & Jerry’s is suing parent company Unilever, accusing the consumer goods conglomerate of violating an agreement with the ice cream brand’s independent board by muzzling its advocacy of Palestinian rights.
Unilever has prevented Ben & Jerry’s from calling for a ceasefire in Gaza four times, breaking a pact that lets its subsidiary determine its own social mission, Ben & Jerry’s stated in legal documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The lawsuit states that Unilever has contributed to Israeli groups and has not stayed neutral on other issues, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Our heart goes out to all victims of the tragic events in the Middle East. We reject the claims made by B&J’s social mission board, and we will defend our case very strongly. We would not comment further on this legal matter,” Unilever said in an emailed statement.
The suit continues an ongoing public feud between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever. Ben & Jerry’s board in 2022 sued Unilever for breaching its 2000 merger agreement allowing it to determine its social mission.
Unilever in March said it planned to spin off or sell its ice cream unit, which includes the Burlington, Vermont-based maker of creamy treats with a decades-long motto of “peace, love & ice cream.”
The spinoff would end an unusual corporate partnership that began in 2000 when Unilever bought Ben & Jerry’s for $326 million. At the time of the purchase, Ben & Jerry’s stipulated that it would have an independent board, allowing it to continue taking openly progressive stances on social and political issues.
CBS News
Trump meets with Argentina’s president, the first foreign leader he’s met with since election
Donald Trump met Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago club with Argentine President Javier Milei, the first foreign leader to meet with the president-elect since his victory in last week’s election.
The meeting was confirmed by a person who insisted on anonymity to discuss an event that hadn’t yet been announced publicly. The person said the meeting went well and said Milei also met with investors.
A short time later, Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” and frequent recipient of Trump praise, addressed the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago. He slammed left-wing ideologies and saluted Elon Musk, the owner of X, saying his social media site is helping to “save humanity.”
Trump also spoke to the gala crowd, congratulating Milei “for the job you’ve done for Argentina” and saying it was an “honor” to have Argentina’s president at Mar-a-Lago.
“The job you’ve done is incredible. Make Argentina Great Again, you know, MAGA. He’s a MAGA person,” Trump said to applause. “And you know, he’s doing that.”
Shortly after Milei’s election in November 2023, Trump posted on social media, “You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!”
Milei first met Trump in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in the Washington area. He has openly declared his admiration for Trump and when he saw him, he rushed to him screaming “president!” and gave him a close hug before they posed for pictures.
The Argentine president is known for his eccentric personality and first made a name for himself by shouting against Argentina’s “political caste” on television. The right-wing populist campaigned with a chainsaw as his prop to symbolize his plans to slash public spending and scrap government ministries.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
